Never thought you'd
hear it again did ya? That's right, I'm still telling things my way.....the right way. You don't think so? I don't care. That's what this whole exercise is about, folks...it just doesn't really matter to me whether you like it or don't. The BOTTOM LINE is exactly that...it's what I'm after and what I care about. You don't? Well, then you're living in a dream world. Come join the good side of the Force...the one where Obi-Wan is dead...and the Emperor rules. Because you see...I'm the Emperor, and that's..... |
I look at some of the previous comments I made...and I can't
believe it's the same person writing. But I guess six months in an institution
surrounded by people who have to have medication forced down their throats will do that to
you.
I'm always amazed by the response the CSWA gets when it 'returns' from hiatus. Some people, the fans mostly, are thrilled, because they know what it means. Others, most within the business, moan and groan. But much of that is probably partly my fault. A lot of these would-be 'insiders' haven't been around very long. They latched on to somebody in the business and all of sudden started proclaiming news from their 'sources.'
All they've seen is the CSWA in 1997. And while there were some stellar moments in the four months or so that the CSWA was in operation last year.....there were others like the death of the Red Midget, and the trial...
While granting that, there are some people out there who need to do their homework. The CSWA went international in 1992, expanding from a regional promotion in the Southeast to a worldwide federation. The CSWA kicked off its expansion with a 64-man ULTRATITLE Tournament, the likes of which the world hadn't seen to that point.
And contrary to popular belief...contrary to the myth that our detractors love to pass around...the next time the CSWA went on hiatus was October 24, 1993, after LAST CALL II, having crowned the first Unified World Champion.
The CSWA returned in January of 1994, all of two months later, with its third worldwide ULTRATITLE, this time of 128 competitiors. After running that month-long tournament, along with another series of cards, the CSWA broke for a three-month hiatus, returning in June 1994.
The next great 'disappearance' you ask? September 1996....twenty-seven months later; following the Hornet/GUNS career match at FISH FUND XI. And in those twenty-seven months....there was a 256-man ULTRATITLE Tournament, several Unified and Enterprise World Title Tournaments, not to mention classics like FISH FUND X, Under New Ownership, Apocalypse, ELVIS VIII, MLK '96, Winter's Warriors VII....the list goes on and on.
And what stopped a 27-month run? The fact that Thomas and I took time off to do the third Ironman of Champions outside the CSWA, combining the top leagues of the professional circuit to crown Mike Randalls as the Unified Champion.
So, there ya are, folks....there's the legendary 'disappearances' of CS Enterprises. But it boils down to this, it doesn't make one bit of difference what the dirt sheet writers, the rinky-dink promoters, and the retired slackers of this business think of me or the CSWA. I don't give a flying flip. Because time and time and time and time again, the CSWA has stepped to the pinnacle. The only worldwide federation that has had every Unified World Champion compete...from Randalls to Hornet to Tyler to Pierce, and so on. The only professional wrestling league ever to bring 256 of the world's top wrestlers together to compete in a tournament. The only promotion to unify over thirty World Championships under one banner.
And that's the tip of the iceberg. See folks, I know that the CSWA went into a period of decline. I know the day it began, and I know exactly what caused it. And it was my fault. The fact that I allowed Hornet and GUNS to take their hatred of each other to a point that hurt the CSWA is inexcusable.
I could've gone into a long, happy retirement. I could have taken my chunk of CS Enterprises' loot and been long gone in Barbados. But I owe something to people, the fans, the staff, the wrestlers, that have put their hearts into the CSWA. I know where I went wrong....and now I have to fix it.
What was that? You don't think I can? Then I know two things about you already: you haven't been around very long....and you've competed in the Special Olympics and lost.
You see folks....that's the Bottom Line...even before Stone Cold ever said so.
Have a nice day....I will.
-CSWA Co-Commissioner Chad Merritt
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